"I couldn't see what the priest was doing"

[ethelzguy]

This past Saturday, our family attended the funeral of a long-time friend, at an Episcopal church.

It was the first-ever Episcopal experience for any of us.

It reminded me very much of the Catholic Church, circa 1965. Very staid language, and the priest faced away from the congregation.

All-in-all, it was very beautiful. My daughter-in-law’s comment afterward, however, was most telling.

“I didn’t like it. I couldn’t see what the priest was doing”.

Ah, from the mouths of babes (relatively speaking)

It is said, that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Perhaps the churchmen of the Vatican II era weren’t as misguided as some would like us to believe?

 

[bpbasilphx]

What is there really to see?

Certainly at the Eucharistic Sacrifice, we can’t see what really matters happening. (As a general rule; there are a few exceptional saints.)

 

[Famule]

This past Saturday, our family attended the funeral of a long-time friend, at an Episcopal church.

It was the first-ever Episcopal experience for any of us.

It reminded me very much of the Catholic Church, circa 1965. Very staid language, and the priest faced away from the congregation.

All-in-all, it was very beautiful. My daughter-in-law’s comment afterward, however, was most telling.

“I didn’t like it. I couldn’t see what the priest was doing”.

Ah, from the mouths of babes (relatively speaking)

It is said, that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Perhaps the churchmen of the Vatican II era weren’t as misguided as some would like us to believe?

I have no idea what would be going on in an Episcopal church. I do know what would be going on in a Catholic church with a Mass said in that way. To say that the priest is facing away from the people is to look at it incorrectly. The priest is facing Jesus Christ, truly present in the tabernacle. All (priest and people) are worshiping in the same direction. The priest doesn’t turn his back to God. It is very centered. We do not need to see everything and participate completely in every single thing that the priest is doing. Everyone has their part in the liturgy. It makes so much sense when you think about it. That is what goes on in the Catholic liturgy. As for an Episcopal church, I don’t know what they are facing.

 

[SacredHeartFan]

What is there really to see?

Certainly at the Eucharistic Sacrifice, we can’t see what really matters happening. (As a general rule; there are a few exceptional saints.)

well the priesthood is not flawless. my main worry would be that he was a physco and poisened the host or something.

 

[fix]

This past Saturday, our family attended the funeral of a long-time friend, at an Episcopal church.

It was the first-ever Episcopal experience for any of us.

It reminded me very much of the Catholic Church, circa 1965. Very staid language, and the priest faced away from the congregation.

All-in-all, it was very beautiful. My daughter-in-law’s comment afterward, however, was most telling.

“I didn’t like it. I couldn’t see what the priest was doing”.

Ah, from the mouths of babes (relatively speaking)

It is said, that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Perhaps the churchmen of the Vatican II era weren’t as misguided as some would like us to believe?

It seems to be an issue of catechesis more than anything else.

 

[japhy]

This past Saturday, our family attended the funeral of a long-time friend, at an Episcopal church. … It reminded me very much of the Catholic Church, circa 1965. Very staid language, and the priest faced away from the congregation. All-in-all, it was very beautiful. My daughter-in-law’s comment afterward, however, was most telling. “I didn’t like it. I couldn’t see what the priest was doing”.

I’d probably say that too if I wasn’t prepared for it. Was she prepared for it? Did she know why he faces the same direction as her? Etc.

Ah, from the mouths of babes (relatively speaking)

Is that age-wise or looks-wise?

(Add more smileys if my attempt at humor has not been registered properly.)

 

[ethelzguy]

Thanks to those who answered. The Episcopal “Mass” is stunningly like ours.

And, I am well versed in the endless arguments for and against the ad orientem position of the priest.

What I was driving at, is for those who aren’t totally immersed in the theology and philosophy of the Church, some things are blissfully simple in explanation. And perhaps, the HMC was thinking of those people when she started Mass facing the people.